Vera Ramone King's book Poisoned Heart: I Married Dee Dee Ramone documents her 17-year marriage to the bassist and lead songwriter of seminal punk rockers the Ramones. In vivid and loving detail, she recounts the rise and demise of her lover and best friend, who succumbed to a heroin overdose in 2002. She offers the untold story of how she continually kept him alive even amidst bouts of terrifying abuse from her husband, illuminating a vital link in the band's masterful and enduring legacy.
I first met Dee Dee in the Early 80's at a party after a gig in Richmond. This was right after an article in a magazine where Dee Dee said he had cleaned up. At this party, he was pretty wasted. Sadly, I've seen so many talented members of their generation pass away. Stiv Bators, Johnny Thunders, Wendy O Williams, and of course Joey and Johnny Ramone, as well as many friends of mine. I'm sure the lifestyle I led back in the 80's will come back on me as well - I'm already feeling many physical effects from it. I don't believe it's a curse, it's just the abuse we put on our bodies.
All of these people will be remembered for rescuing us from the disco 70's, and will forever be legends. Pass their music onto your children, as the record companies have cleaned up and repackaged "punk" as acts like Green Day , the Offspring, and Blink 182. Show the kids what real punk was like.
nicole_powers
NEWSWIRE
I'm lost
JUN 01, 2009 06:00 AM